Reagan's Death - Effect on Bush's Ratings

[Citizen James]

I suspect it will be a push.  Bush could gain a slight advantage if he played his cards right, or the Dems mess up signifgantly - but currently the former is barely happening, and the latter hasn't.

Bush best play is to simply let the media feed on itself, and react with quiet dignity.  Unfortunately, several members of congress are trying to milk it for all it's worth, which will likely turn some people off and nulify any advantage he might gain from it.   If he tries to turn the eulogy into a stump speech, he's likely to get the Republican response to the Wellstone funeral thrown back into his face.

Trying to compare himself with Reagan would be a major error - Kerry could easily recycle and paraphrase the old Bentsen remark that he knew Reagan, worked with Reagan, and that Bush is no Ronald Reagan.   (Kerry would be well advised to play down the JFK comparisons for the same reason).

Though some bloggers seem to be rather meanspirited, the Democratic establishment has gone out of it's way to be diplomatic about it.  Even the very liberal Nancy Pelosi was speaking Reagans praises.

[pieman]

Just a few comparisons:

Reagan was considered a dumb cowboy actor.
Bush is considered dumb cowboy oilman.

Reagan was considered a cowboy for taking on communism.
Bush is considered a cowboy for taking on terrorism.

The Europeans, except for England and the people of Eastern Europe, hated Reagan.
The Europeans, except for England and the people of Eastern Europe, hate Bush.

Reagan's policy to cut taxes to spur the economy in the 1980's brought us out of recession and caused the greatest economic expansion in many years.
Bush's policy to cut taxes to spur the economy in the 2000's brought us out of recession and caused the greatest economic expansion in many years.

Reagan was consistently underestimated by his opponents.
Bush is consistently underestimated by his opponents.

Reagan had great pride and optimism for America and freedom throughout the world. Bush has great pride and optimism for America and freedom throughout the world.



 

[Alfie]

Just a few comparisons:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

No.  Reagan was a dumb "B" movie actor who frequently played a cowboy.

Bush is a dummy who couldn't cut it in the oil business, so he tried politics.  The only thing "cowboy" about him is his recklessness.

[Mort from NewYawk]

Reagan had great pride and optimism for America and freedom throughout the world. Bush has great pride and optimism for America and freedom throughout the world.
 

I would agree with this. Both men are viewed by their detractors as being naive and stubborn in their beliefs:

that freedom is a natural right that takes on a life of it's own in creating a stable and thriving society;

that tyranny requires great energy to suppress freedom, and is inherently unstable and doomed to collapse.

We see the same confident attitude in Reagan's approach to the Soviet Union, and Bush's to Iraq.

[Swing low, sweet chariot. Comin' for to carry me home.]

We see the same confident attitude in Reagan's approach to the Soviet Union, and Bush's to Iraq.

let's not get carried away, GWB is no RWR

[Mort from NewYawk]

We see the same confident attitude in Reagan's approach to the Soviet Union, and Bush's to Iraq.

let's not get carried away, GWB is no RWR

No, he is no Great Communicator.

But he has the same stubborn belief in freedom as a motivating force in the world, a quality which drives to fits both Reagan-haters and Bush-haters.

[Swing low, sweet chariot. Comin' for to carry me home.]

No, he is no Great Communicator.

a given

---

But he has the same stubborn belief in freedom as a motivating force in the world, a quality which drives to fits both Reagan-haters and Bush-haters.

I disagree.

[dazzleman]

I saw an interesting letter in the newspaper today.

A man wrote in saying that he would pay the ultimate compliment to Ronald Reagan by voting for George W. Bush in November.  

He said Reagan's death made him realize that he had been wrong in opposing Reagan's policies as a college student, and that he could very well be wrong in opposing Bush today.

He compared Reagan's determination to confront communism, scoffed at by most of the "elites" to Bush's determination to confront terrorism and Islamofascism, something that is also scoffed at by our "best and brightest" in places like New York, Boston and San Francisco.

I wonder how wide a trend it will be.

[opebo]

I saw an interesting letter in the newspaper today.

A man wrote in saying that he would pay the ultimate compliment to Ronald Reagan by voting for George W. Bush in November.  

He said Reagan's death made him realize that he had been wrong in opposing Reagan's policies as a college student, and that he could very well be wrong in opposing Bush today.

He compared Reagan's determination to confront communism, scoffed at by most of the "elites" to Bush's determination to confront terrorism and Islamofascism, something that is also scoffed at by our "best and brightest" in places like New York, Boston and San Francisco.

I wonder how wide a trend it will be.

Hah, that's great.  It wouldn't take very many like this guy to lock it up for Bush!

[Mort from NewYawk]

I saw an interesting letter in the newspaper today.

A man wrote in saying that he would pay the ultimate compliment to Ronald Reagan by voting for George W. Bush in November.  

He said Reagan's death made him realize that he had been wrong in opposing Reagan's policies as a college student, and that he could very well be wrong in opposing Bush today.

He compared Reagan's determination to confront communism, scoffed at by most of the "elites" to Bush's determination to confront terrorism and Islamofascism, something that is also scoffed at by our "best and brightest" in places like New York, Boston and San Francisco.

I wonder how wide a trend it will be.

As far as policy, Bush is closer to Reagan than he is to his own father's politics as President. The idea that Bush is continuing the Reagan revolution has been written about extensively. All the media time spent on Reagan's presidency will remind people who voted for Reagan how similar the two men's conservatism is.

Reagan's death may soften a small but significant amount of Bush hatred, as loss has a way of clarifying emotion and draining frenetic energy.  Certainly no hard core Bush haters will convert, but more conservative Reagan Democrat types who were disenchanted with Bush might be inclined to give him a second look.

It doesn't need to be a big trend. The passing of Reagan, coupled with steady achievements in Iraq, may turn on the light in the minds of those Reagan Democrats who were Clinton and Gore supporters the last three cycles, but really are having queasy feelings about Kerry as Commander in Chief.

[Alfie]

I saw an interesting letter in the newspaper today.

A man wrote in saying that he would pay the ultimate compliment to Ronald Reagan by voting for George W. Bush in November.  

He said Reagan's death made him realize that he had been wrong in opposing Reagan's policies as a college student, and that he could very well be wrong in opposing Bush today.

He compared Reagan's determination to confront communism, scoffed at by most of the "elites" to Bush's determination to confront terrorism and Islamofascism, something that is also scoffed at by our "best and brightest" in places like New York, Boston and San Francisco.

I wonder how wide a trend it will be.

As far as policy, Bush is closer to Reagan than he is to his own father's politics as President. The idea that Bush is continuing the Reagan revolution has been written about extensively. All the media time spent on Reagan's presidency will remind people who voted for Reagan how similar the two men's conservatism is.

Reagan's death may soften a small but significant amount of Bush hatred, as loss has a way of clarifying emotion and draining frenetic energy.  Certainly no hard core Bush haters will convert, but more conservative Reagan Democrat types who were disenchanted with Bush might be inclined to give him a second look.

It doesn't need to be a big trend. The passing of Reagan, coupled with steady achievements in Iraq, may turn on the light in the minds of those Reagan Democrats who were Clinton and Gore supporters the last three cycles, but really are having queasy feelings about Kerry as Commander in Chief.

"It doesn't need to be a big trend"?  Have you seen any polling data?

It was an absurdity to attempt to compare Bush with Ronnie, and the Bush people really messed in their shorts by even attempting it.  Ronnie wasn't my fave prezzie, but he was grand, he was charming.  Reagan diffused many a difficult situation with a well-time "wink" or a "nod".  Bush, OTOH, when confronted with a question (when he takes questions) that's outside of his Rovian playbook inevitably looks like a pissy deer, caught in headlights.




No, Ronnie wasn't buried alone: the second term of Bush/Cheney was also interred this week.  RIP!!!!



- Alfie

[Mort from NewYawk]

No, he is no Great Communicator.

a given

---

But he has the same stubborn belief in freedom as a motivating force in the world, a quality which drives to fits both Reagan-haters and Bush-haters.

I disagree.

Why? Bush may not come across as the cheerful guy Reagan was, but he still seems to me to be the same stubborn optimist about freedom. That cockiness that pisses off so many people is evidence of his confidence in the rightness of what he's doing.

You don't think that he holds this belief - that success in Iraq will come because it is human nature for the Iraqis to fight to establish a government where basic human rights are guaranteed?

[Mort from NewYawk]

I saw an interesting letter in the newspaper today.

A man wrote in saying that he would pay the ultimate compliment to Ronald Reagan by voting for George W. Bush in November.  

He said Reagan's death made him realize that he had been wrong in opposing Reagan's policies as a college student, and that he could very well be wrong in opposing Bush today.

He compared Reagan's determination to confront communism, scoffed at by most of the "elites" to Bush's determination to confront terrorism and Islamofascism, something that is also scoffed at by our "best and brightest" in places like New York, Boston and San Francisco.

I wonder how wide a trend it will be.

As far as policy, Bush is closer to Reagan than he is to his own father's politics as President. The idea that Bush is continuing the Reagan revolution has been written about extensively. All the media time spent on Reagan's presidency will remind people who voted for Reagan how similar the two men's conservatism is.

Reagan's death may soften a small but significant amount of Bush hatred, as loss has a way of clarifying emotion and draining frenetic energy.  Certainly no hard core Bush haters will convert, but more conservative Reagan Democrat types who were disenchanted with Bush might be inclined to give him a second look.

It doesn't need to be a big trend. The passing of Reagan, coupled with steady achievements in Iraq, may turn on the light in the minds of those Reagan Democrats who were Clinton and Gore supporters the last three cycles, but really are having queasy feelings about Kerry as Commander in Chief.

"It doesn't need to be a big trend"?  Have you seen any polling data?

Polls, shmolls, it's June.

It doesn't take a miracle for a 3-4% shift to occur over 4-5 months.

In October, when the true Reagan Democrats have to make up their mind, they won't be able to bring themselves to vote for Kerry. They'll be reminded of why they voted against Carter and Mondale, and pull the lever for Bush.

[Alfie]

I saw an interesting letter in the newspaper today.

A man wrote in saying that he would pay the ultimate compliment to Ronald Reagan by voting for George W. Bush in November.  

He said Reagan's death made him realize that he had been wrong in opposing Reagan's policies as a college student, and that he could very well be wrong in opposing Bush today.

He compared Reagan's determination to confront communism, scoffed at by most of the "elites" to Bush's determination to confront terrorism and Islamofascism, something that is also scoffed at by our "best and brightest" in places like New York, Boston and San Francisco.

I wonder how wide a trend it will be.

As far as policy, Bush is closer to Reagan than he is to his own father's politics as President. The idea that Bush is continuing the Reagan revolution has been written about extensively. All the media time spent on Reagan's presidency will remind people who voted for Reagan how similar the two men's conservatism is.

Reagan's death may soften a small but significant amount of Bush hatred, as loss has a way of clarifying emotion and draining frenetic energy.  Certainly no hard core Bush haters will convert, but more conservative Reagan Democrat types who were disenchanted with Bush might be inclined to give him a second look.

It doesn't need to be a big trend. The passing of Reagan, coupled with steady achievements in Iraq, may turn on the light in the minds of those Reagan Democrats who were Clinton and Gore supporters the last three cycles, but really are having queasy feelings about Kerry as Commander in Chief.

"It doesn't need to be a big trend"?  Have you seen any polling data?

Polls, shmolls, it's June.

It doesn't take a miracle for a 3-4% shift to occur over 4-5 months.

In October, when the true Reagan Democrats have to make up their mind, they won't be able to bring themselves to vote for Kerry. They'll be reminded of why they voted against Carter and Mondale, and pull the lever for Bush.

There's an interesting article in yesterday's NYT about "undecided voters", and if what is written is true, your worst fears are to become reality.

"They are more likely to be white than black, female than male, married than single, and live in the suburbs rather than in large cities. They are not frequent churchgoers nor gun enthusiasts. They are clustered in swing states like Ohio, Michigan and here in Pennsylvania. And while they follow the news closely, they are largely indifferent to the back and forth of this year's race for president."

Two points, if I may:

1.  Kerry is cleaning Bush's clock with women, minorities, and independent votes in most "swing" states.  If, as the Times' suggest, a majority of "undecideds" are women, this bodes poorly for Bush.

2.  Kerry has made huge strides in polling throughout the spring.  Bush, who should have had no problem with re-election, is now falling behind in the following critical swing states:

In Ohio, Kerry leads Bush 45%-42%
In Michigan, Kerry leads Bush 45%-43%
In Pennsylvania, Kerry leads Bush 44%-41%

You may be right -- perhaps Bush can make a comeback, but in my view, Bush's glory days are all behind him, and it is a cruel and bitter wind blowing in his face until election day.  No, I think we have a lame chicken hawk on our hands.  Now the question becomes "will he leave quietly"?

- Alfie

[Citizen James]

As someone pointed out, GWB is no RWR.  Any overt attempt to make a comparison is likely to result in disaster.

Reagan campaigned from the right, and governed from the right leaning center (he raised taxes several times for example.  And sought cutbacks in nukes as another example  Neither particularly conservative things to do)

Bush Campaigned as a right leaning moderate and governs from the extreme right.

[??????????]

I saw an interesting letter in the newspaper today.

A man wrote in saying that he would pay the ultimate compliment to Ronald Reagan by voting for George W. Bush in November.  

He said Reagan's death made him realize that he had been wrong in opposing Reagan's policies as a college student, and that he could very well be wrong in opposing Bush today.

He compared Reagan's determination to confront communism, scoffed at by most of the "elites" to Bush's determination to confront terrorism and Islamofascism, something that is also scoffed at by our "best and brightest" in places like New York, Boston and San Francisco.

I wonder how wide a trend it will be.

As far as policy, Bush is closer to Reagan than he is to his own father's politics as President. The idea that Bush is continuing the Reagan revolution has been written about extensively. All the media time spent on Reagan's presidency will remind people who voted for Reagan how similar the two men's conservatism is.

Reagan's death may soften a small but significant amount of Bush hatred, as loss has a way of clarifying emotion and draining frenetic energy.  Certainly no hard core Bush haters will convert, but more conservative Reagan Democrat types who were disenchanted with Bush might be inclined to give him a second look.

It doesn't need to be a big trend. The passing of Reagan, coupled with steady achievements in Iraq, may turn on the light in the minds of those Reagan Democrats who were Clinton and Gore supporters the last three cycles, but really are having queasy feelings about Kerry as Commander in Chief.

"It doesn't need to be a big trend"?  Have you seen any polling data?

Polls, shmolls, it's June.

It doesn't take a miracle for a 3-4% shift to occur over 4-5 months.

In October, when the true Reagan Democrats have to make up their mind, they won't be able to bring themselves to vote for Kerry. They'll be reminded of why they voted against Carter and Mondale, and pull the lever for Bush.

There's an interesting article in yesterday's NYT about "undecided voters", and if what is written is true, your worst fears are to become reality.

"They are more likely to be white than black, female than male, married than single, and live in the suburbs rather than in large cities. They are not frequent churchgoers nor gun enthusiasts. They are clustered in swing states like Ohio, Michigan and here in Pennsylvania. And while they follow the news closely, they are largely indifferent to the back and forth of this year's race for president."

Two points, if I may:

1.  Kerry is cleaning Bush's clock with women, minorities, and independent votes in most "swing" states.  If, as the Times' suggest, a majority of "undecideds" are women, this bodes poorly for Bush.

2.  Kerry has made huge strides in polling throughout the spring.  Bush, who should have had no problem with re-election, is now falling behind in the following critical swing states:

In Ohio, Kerry leads Bush 45%-42%
In Michigan, Kerry leads Bush 45%-43%
In Pennsylvania, Kerry leads Bush 44%-41%

You may be right -- perhaps Bush can make a comeback, but in my view, Bush's glory days are all behind him, and it is a cruel and bitter wind blowing in his face until election day.  No, I think we have a lame chicken hawk on our hands.  Now the question becomes "will he leave quietly"?

- Alfie

Yes the New York Times, always known for truthful journalism. I hear the National Enquirer has been reporting more truth in their stories lately!

[Alfie]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Did you read the story?  What part, or which parts, do you believe were in error?  

If you didn't read the article, let me ask: do you always let your anus speak for you?  Is it because your mouth knows better?


Troll.

[??????????]

Yawn. Reported.